A commercial food waste anaerobic digestion (AD) plant, which will generate enough energy to power 2,000 homes every year, officially opened in County Durham last week.

The state-of-the-art AD facility, based at Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate, is operated by Emerald Biogas. It will process 50,000 tonnes of leftover food from food businesses across the region, including Vale of Mowbray, Greencore and SK Chilled Foods.

Janet Street-Porter hosted a VIP event, which celebrated the launch of the biogas facility. She said: "This facility will bring a range of benefits to the north-east community, including reducing the need to send food waste to landfill, and the creation of green energy and fertiliser.

"I am passionate about protecting our countryside and feel we should be doing even more to look after our local community and, as part of this strategy, support local businesses and jobs."

Adam Warren, director at Emerald Biogas, said: "Through this investment we will contribute a continued source of renewable energy to local businesses, while also providing a sustainable solution for dealing with food waste, which traditionally goes to landfill.

"Food waste is a major concern for the north east, where 800,000 tonnes is generated every year, and as part of today’s celebratory launch I am delighted that we, as a company, are playing a valuable role and providing a long-term regional solution to this national problem."